25), CFF 185, FWV 53,[1] is a French oratorio written by César Franck from 1869 to 1879 and scored for orchestra, chorus, and soloists.
The text is a poetic meditation on the eight beatitudes of Jesus, from the Gospel of Matthew, by Joséphine-Blanche Colomb.
The full oratorio was not performed until after Franck's death, on 19 March 1893 in Colonne.
The work, at nearly two hours, is among Franck's largest compositions.
It is scored for orchestra, choir, and eight soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, 2 tenors, baritone, and 2 basses).